12 things you should know about the term “anchor babies”

Anchor babies
The term, which is considered offensive, refers to babies born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

Anchor babies
The term, which is considered offensive, refers to babies born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

Photo: Imagno / Getty Images

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History of the phrase
"Anchor babies" as a term used by anti-immigration advocates pre-dates Jeb Bush's use the term.
Members of the CCIR (Calif. Coalition for Immigration Reform) and anti-immigration advocates used the term during a 2009 campaign for a ballot initiative against undocumented immigrant parents, eliminating welfare for their children. The term reportedly dates back to around 1996. less

History of the phrase
"Anchor babies" as a term used by anti-immigration advocates pre-dates Jeb Bush's use the term.
Members of the CCIR (Calif. Coalition for Immigration Reform) and anti-immigration ... more

Photo: Lawrence K. Ho / LA Times via Getty Images

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Bush remarks
Bush may have first used the term "anchor babies" publicly on a radio show in mid-August, according to the Washington Post

Bush remarks
Bush may have first used the term "anchor babies" publicly on a radio show in mid-August, according to the Washington Post

Photo: Johnny Louis / FilmMagic

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Applies to Asians?
Jeb Bush got into further trouble with the Asian community and immigration advocates when he said this about "anchor babies": “Frankly, it’s more related to Asian people coming into our country." less

Applies to Asians?
Jeb Bush got into further trouble with the Asian community and immigration advocates when he said this about "anchor babies": “Frankly, it’s more related to Asian people coming into ... more

Photo: NOEL CELIS / AFP/Getty Images

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Birthright citizenship
The term "anchor babies" is connected to the current debate over birthright citizenship protected under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. less

Birthright citizenship
The term "anchor babies" is connected to the current debate over birthright citizenship protected under the 14th Amendment to the ... more

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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Undocumented population
According to the Migration Policy Institute, "ending birthright citizenship for U.S. babies with two unauthorized immigrant parents would increase the existing unauthorized population by 4.7 million people by 2050." less

Undocumented population
According to the Migration Policy Institute, "ending birthright citizenship for U.S. babies with two unauthorized immigrant parents would increase the existing unauthorized ... more

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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Fewer undocumented women giving birth in Texas border regionThe Los Angeles Times reported that doctors in one Texas border city said there have been fewer women crossing the border to have babies in the U.S. following an order from Texas officials to increase the number of law enforcement and National Guard Troops along the border last year. less

Fewer undocumented women giving birth in Texas border regionThe Los Angeles Times reported that doctors in one Texas border city said there have been fewer women crossing the border to have babies in the ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

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HealthcareOpponents of "anchor babies" have said that federal programs like Medicaid have paid out billions in hospital bills for undocumented mothers who give birth here. less

HealthcareOpponents of "anchor babies" have said that federal programs like Medicaid have paid out billions in hospital bills for undocumented mothers who give birth ... more

Photo: David McNew / Getty Images

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1 in 10 births
An analyst with the right-leaning Center for Immigration Studies testified before Congress that as many as 400,000 births are to undocumented moms, or 1 in 10 babies born in the U.S. less

1 in 10 births
An analyst with the right-leaning Center for Immigration Studies testified before Congress that as many as 400,000 births are to undocumented moms, or 1 in 10 babies born in the ... more

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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Birth tourism
Another term for "anchor babies" is "birth tourism."

Birth tourism
Another term for "anchor babies" is "birth tourism."

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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Word of the year
The term was nominated for Word of the Year in 2006. The American Dialect Society considered this definition: "Also known as an anchor child, a very young immigrant who will later sponsor citizenship for family members still abroad." less

Word of the year
The term was nominated for Word of the Year in 2006. The American Dialect Society considered this definition: "Also known as an anchor child, a very young immigrant who will later sponsor ... more

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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It's a myth
Babies born to undocumented parents have done little to keep families together, as reports show more than 2 million immigrants were deported in President Obama's first 6 years in office.
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It's a myth
Babies born to undocumented parents have done little to keep families together, as reports show more than 2 million immigrants were deported in President Obama's first 6 years in ... more

Photo: Michael Robinson Chavez / LA Times via Getty Images

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12 things you should know about the term "anchor babies"

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The term “anchor babies” has become a catchphrase of anti-immigration advocates this election cycle, and discussed widely by the current crop of GOP presidential candidates. While it’s considered an offensive remark by many people, the term has received repeated attention by presidential candidate Jeb Bush. Since August the term has taken on a life of its own.

The Washington Post tracked Bush’s use of the term to a radio interview in mid August. “If pregnant women are coming in to have babies just because they can do it, there ought to be greater enforcement,” he said regarding a question about immigration. “That’s the legitimate side of it. Greater enforcement, so that you don’t have these ‘anchor babies,’ as they’re described, coming into the country.”